Pet heaven?

In some parts of Europe and the USA, many pet owners see their cat or dog as a member of the family. In the UK, owners spend around €4 billion annualy on keeping their pets washed, fed and entertained. In one survey, it was found that up to 40% of owners said they bought gifts for their pets, including Christmas and birthday presents. Owners happily pamper their pets with increasingly lavish lifestyles, including toys, furniture, accessories and gourmet food. Some owners have their pets treated by psychologists. There are hundreds of retail outlets offering owners a vast array of products. But many pets have everything they could ever ask for (or bark for). The question for many owners now is: what do you give to the pet that has everything? We asked some owners what their pet got for his or her last birthday...

Marion Dowdeswell and "Pixie":

Marion lives on her own in Edinburgh, UK with her dog, Pixie. "Pixie really is my best friend," says Marion. "He's such a lovely dog and my constant companion. I'd be lost without him, so I think I just treat him like I'd treat anyone I love." For his last birthday, Marion had a €300 bed delivered to Pixie in a pink limo. She admits that it was too much money to spend on an animal. "I know it's a bit over-the-top," she says, "but he does love it and he makes me enjoy life!" Marion says she doesn't only indulge him on his birthday. Last week, she got a set of "doggie boots" to keep Pixie's paws warm and stop him from slipping on wet ground. "Probably a luxury, but why not occasionaly?"

Sylvia and Brad Phillips and "Beauty": The Phillips family from California, USA, acquired Beauty three years ago when some friends emigrated.

"We didn't really know much about dogs then, and at first we didn't know how it would work out," says Sylvia. "But right from the start, she just made our family love her and the kids adore her. She always has things bought to her. She probably is spoilt but it's fun." Last year, they got her a present they were really excited about: a necklace made of fake pearls which cost about €70. "She doesn't really wear it because it seems to irritate her; but we took some great photos," says Sylvia.

Claudette and Pierre Leroi and "Mignon":

Claudette and Pierre live in Paris with their Yorkshire terrier, Mignon. Because Mignon is a long-haired dog, Claudette says that it's necessary to take her to the hairdresser regularly. "I take her to the beauty parlour once a week to have her fur done. I don't think it's a luxury, really." Mignon has it washed and brushed, sometimes cut and even curled. On special occasions, like her last birthday, for example, Mignon had the fur from the top of the head pulled back and tied as a ponytail, while the rest of her fur was cut short. "She looked so cute - like a little Barbie doll," says Claudette. She gets the dog anaesthetised to do these things so that she stands still for long enough, but Claudette thinks it's worth it.